Marine torch.



PATENTED JAN. 29

' P. FUCHS.

MARINE TORCH.

APPLICATION nun 001212, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

ATTORNEYS THE "cams PETERS co., wasmucran, n, c.

PATENTED JAN. 29, 1907.

P. FUCHS.

MARIN'BTORCH. urmunxon FILED 00T. 12, 1905.

Witnesses- I Attorn eys' rm: NDRRI: PETERS Cu-,'WASHINGTON. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARINE Specification of Letters Patent.

TORCH.

Patented Jan. 29, 1907 Application filed October 12, 1905. Serial No.282,469.

To all whom, it nzay coiwcrn:

Be it known that 1, PAUL FUoHs, a subject of the Emperor of Germany,residing at Locust Point, Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, haveinvented a new and useful Marine Torch, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to life-preserving apparatus, and has for itsprincipal object to provide a buoyant support which when thrownoverboard will automatically ignite a signal or lamp, so that theposition of the apparatus may be readily ascertained by the person towhom it is thrown, as well as from the deck of the vessel, so that theapparatus may be speedily recovered.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel form ofsignaling apparatus carrying a gas-forming element that remains inactiveuntil the apparatus is thrown into the water, provision being made forpermitting the entrance of the water to such ele ment, the resultantdecomposition of the water forming an inflammable gas that is ignitedand serves as a signal to indicate the position of the apparatus. V

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel form ofigniting device so arranged as to swing freely over the gas-burner orthe like and insure ignition of the gas issuing from the burner. 1

With these and other objects in view, as will more fully hereinafterappear, the invention consists in certain novel features of constructionand arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims, it being. understood that various changes in the form,proportions, size, and minor details of the structure may be madewithout departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantagesof the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of an apparatusconstructed in accordance with the invention, parts being broken away inorder to more clearly illustrate the construction. Fig. 2 is a verticalsection of the same on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, the signaling-buoy beingshown in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a vertical section, on an enlargedscale, of the upper portion of the sig-' naling-buoy. Fig. 4 is avertical section of the same on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is adetail sectional View of the lamp-lighting device. 1 I

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate correspondingparts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

The apparatus forming the subject of the present invention is intendedto be used in connection with a life-buoy, so that the posi tion of thelatter may be signaled at night, the signaling-buoy being automaticallyignited as soon as it strikes the water in order that its position maybe ascertained by the person in the water, as well as from the deck ofthe vessel.

The signaling-buoy 18 comprises in general a centrally-arranged buoyantcasing 19, an elevated lamp 20, and a lower weight 21, these beingconnected by a skeleton frame 22, and the weight being sufficient tomaintain the frame in upright position with the lamp well out of thewater. The weight further insures the descent of the buoy in a verticalline with the weight downward when the apparatus is launched, so that itmay strike the water in proper position.

The buoyant casing 19 has substantially convex upper and lower faces andis provided at the'center with an annular partition 25, forming acylindrical chamber extending from top to bottom of the casing. Outsidethe partition 25 are arranged a number of horizontal and verticalpartitions 26, which subdivide the easing into air-compartments, any oneof which may be ruptured without permitting the entrance of water to theothers. The cylindrical central compartment is divided by a horizontalpartition 27 into upper and lower chambers 28 and 29, and at the lowerend of the chamber 29 is arranged an internally-threaded ring 30,adapted to receive the peripheral threads of a carbid-casing 32, theupper end of said casing being open and being tapered slightly to form acontracted mouth, which when the casing is screwed tightly in place willbe pressed against the washer or disk 33, formed of rubber or someequivalent packing material which will make an air-tight joint with themouth of the casing. The carbid-casing or generating-tank is providedwith a number of openings 35, through which the water may enter and bycontact with the calcium carbid or similar agent produce a gas. Thewater enters the lower compartment 29 through small valved openings 36,and the compartment will become filled with water, which will encirclethe casing 32, the water entering said casing 32 through the minute IIO' v sides.

perforations 35, formed in the casing, unless sufl'icient gas has beengenerated to prevent the entrance of the water. When the pressure of gasis excessive, the water will be kept out; but as soon as the pressurelowers the water will enter the chamber and intermingle with the carbid.Extending upward from the partition 27 is a gas-pipe 38, the open end ofwhich is directly above the mouth of the casing 32, and the gas flowsthrough this pipe into the lamp 20. In the partition 27 are formedopenings 40, through which air may freely pass, and the upper wall ofsaid compartment 28 is provided with small valved openings 41, thesevalves being moved upward by the pressure of air within the twocompartments when the device is thrown overboard and the float or buoy'is partly immersed. Then this occurs, the water entering through thevalved openings 36 forces the air throu hthe openings 27 and thencethrough the va ved openings 41, permitting water to enter the chamber orchambers but the water can enter the generatingtank only through theopenings 35, and the generated gas must pass through the pipe 38 to thelamp.

The lower skeleton frame 22, which depends from the buoyant casing 19,carries the weight 21, and the lower end of said weight is preferablypointed in order that it may enter the water. The upper skeleton frame23, which extends from the top of the buoyant casing 19, is secured atits upper end to an annular flange 44, projecting from the lower end ofa metallic sleeve 45, that forms a guide for a pendent sleeve 46,carried by the casing 47 of the lamp, the two sleeves fittingtelescopically. Extending upward from the flange 44 are a number ofguard-arms 48, the upper ends of which support a hood 49, that fits overthe top of the lamp-casing, the latter having a chimney-section 50, thatfits slidably within the neck of the hood.

The lamp-casing is preferably of rectangular form in general contour andis provided with bullseyes or panels 51 in each of its In the lowerportion of the casing are draft-openings 52 for the entrance of air,these being preferably covered by small sheets 53, of wire-gauze orsimilar material, that will prevent the entrance of water.

The gas-pipe 38 extends upward within the lamp-casing and is providedwith a burner-head 54, carrying a number of tips 55, these being of theacetylene-gas type in the present instance. Theupper port-ion of thepipe is partly guided by a tubular flange 56, that forms a part of theflange 44 and extends also through a central opening in a disk 58,carried by the sleeve 46 of the lampcasing, this disk, as well as theflange 44, be-

ng provided with openings that will permit the entrance of air and servealso to allow the outflow-of any water which may enter through theopenings 52. Between the flange 44 and the disk 58 is arranged a helicalcompression-spring 59, that encircles the gas-pipe 38, and this springmaintains the lamp-casing in a normally elevated position, said casing,however, being of suflicient weight to move downward against the actionof the spring as a result of the shock caused by the contact of thefloat 19 with the surface of the water when the device is thrownoverboard, the lam -casing descending momentarily and then eing elevatedto its normal position by the spring.

In the gas-pipe 38 is arranged a cock 60, to the stem of which issecured an arm 61 and a lug 62. The outer end of this arm is engaged bythe inner end of a spiral spring 63, that is arranged within a casing64, that surrounds the gascock. This casing is provided with a number ofperipherally-arranged openings 65 for the reception of a securing-screw66, that is attached to the outer end of the spring, the series ofopenings affording means for adjusting the stress of the spring. Thestem. of the valve is further provided with a winged knob 67, thatprojects outside the side for convenience in moving the valve to itsnormal closed position.

To the lower portion of the casing 64 is pivoted a catch 68, thatnormally is held up in engagement with the lug 62 by means of a helicalcompressionspring 69, the catch serving to hold the valve in its closedposition against the stress of spring 63. Connected to this catch is arod 70, the upper end of which is arranged immediately below thepartition 58, carried by the lamp-casing, and is provided with anenlarged head which is struck by the partition as the lamp-casingdescends, the moving being transmitted through the rod to trip the catchand allow the spring to move the valve to open position, the openingmovement being stopped by contact of the arm 61 with a fixed stop-finger72. t

In order to ignite the gas automatically, an igniting device of thecharacter shown in Figs. 3 and 5 is employed. This consists of atwo-part casing, the lower member 75 being in the form of a preferablymetallic cup that is carried by a rod 76, the lower end of the rod beinghooked over the pin 77 at the bottom of the lamp-casing. In this section75 of the casing are two slightly-spaced partitions 78, formed ofroughened sheet metal or the like, and the casing has a packing 79, ofcotton or similar material, to prevent the entrance of moisture. Theupper end of the igniting device is formed of a number of or dinarymatches 80, which are preferably coated with paraflin and are carried bythe upper section 81 of the casing. This section v and the heads of thematches are arranged between the roughened plates 78. per end of thecasing gripped by a bar 82, that is hung to a link 83, depending fromthe hood of the lamp. When completed, the igniting device as a whole ispreferably dipped in parafi in in order to render it moisture-proof. Inthe operation of this portion of the mechanism the shock resuiting fromthe contact of the buoyant casing 19 with the water will result indownward movement of the lampcasingthat is to say, the downward movementof the casing 19 will be checked, while the lamp continues to move downand in so doing will compress the spring 59 and effect release of thecatch 68, opening the gas-cock. At the same time the connection betweenthe two sections of the igniting device will be broken and the heads ofthe over or between the roughened metal strips 79, the matches ignitingand freely burning together with the paraffin-coated section of thecasing which surrounds them. The igniting device is of such character asto burn for a period of three or four minutes. so that ample time isallowed for the entrance of water to the generatingtank and theformation of acetylene gas. The burning matches are hung on the arm 83,and as the apparatus rocks on the water the matches will swing over allof the burners, so that all of the gas-jets will be ignited. The matchesand the casing are wholly consumed and do not interfere with the flame,the latter burning until the supply of carbid is exhausted.

When the apparatus is taken on board, the gas-cock 67 is closed, thegenerating-tank removed and replenished with carbid, and a freshigniting device is placed in position, the apparatus being placed incondition for use in a very short time.

In order to successfully launch the apparatus and prevent breakage bycontact with the side of the vessel, suitable means are employed on thevessel for carrying the buoy, as shown, for instance, in Figs. 1 and 2.p

I claim- 1. A signaling-buoy having a gas-supply, andmechanically-actuated means operable by the shock or jar resulting fromthe contact of the buoy with the water for igniting the gas.

2. The combination with a signaling-buoy, having a gas-supply andprovided with a plurality of burner tips, of an automatic frictionaligniting device mounted for swinging movement over said tip.

3. T he combination with a signaling-buoy having a gas-supply, andprovided with a plurality of burnertips, of a frictional igniting devicearranged to swing freely over the burner, and means for automaticallyigniting said lighting device.

4. A signaling-buoy having a gas-supply, a burner including a pair oftips, a lamp-cas- The up- 81 and the matches are matches will bedrawning surrounding the burner, a frictional lighting device arrangedwithin the casing at a point above the burner and free to swing over allof the tips, and means for automatically igniting said lighting device.

5. A signaling-buoy having a frame, a gassupply, a burner, a lamp-casingsurrounding the burner and movable independently of the burner and framewhen the descent of the buoy is checked by contact with the water, and atwo-part igniting device, one of the parts being carried by a stationaryportion of the buoy, and the other by the lamp-easing, the downwardmovement of the latter serving to separate the parts of the ignitingdevice.

6. A signaling-buoy having a gas-supply, a burner, a valved connectionbetween the gassupply and burner, and mechanism operable by the shock orjar resulting from contact between the buoy and the water for effectingopening movement of the valve.

7. The combination with a signalingbuoy, having a gas-supply, of aburner, a valved connection between the gas-supply and burner, alampcasing surrounding the burner, said casing being free to moveindependently of the buoy, and means operable y movement of the casingfor opening the valve when the buoy strikes the water.

8, The combination with a signaling-buoy, having a gas-supply, of aframe, a burner having a valved connection with the gas supply, alamp-casing guided by the frame and movable independently thereof, aspring serving to hold said casing in elevated posi tion, a springtending to open the valve, a catch for retaining the valve in closedposi tion, and a trip-rod movable by said casing to permit openingmovement of said valve.

9. In a signaling-buoy, the combination with a frame, of a gas-supply, aburner, a pipe extending between the gassupply and burner, a valve insaid pipe, a spring tending to move the valve to open position, a catchfor'locking the valve in closed position, a trip-rod connected to saidcatch, and a spring-elevated burner-casing surrounding the lamp, saidcasing being moved downward when the buoy strikes the water, and servingby engagement with the trip-rod to release the catch and permit openingmovement of the valve.

10. The combination with a signalingbuoy, of a frame, a gas-supply, aburner, a pipe extending between the gas-supply and the burner, a valvewithin said pipe, a valve stem, a pair of arms projecting from the stem,a spring engaging one of said arms and tending to move the valve to openposition, a spring-pressed catch engaging the other arm and locking thevalve in closed position, a trip-rod connected to the catch, aburnerhood supported by the frame, a lamp-casing surrounding the burnerand partly guided by the hood, a spring normally maintaining the &842,195

casing in elevated position, said spring being I rounding the valve andtrip mechanism, and compressed as the casing descends when the l towhich the outer end of the valve-opening buoy strikes the water, thecasing serving by 5 spring is secured. engagement with the trip-rod torelease the 12. The combination with a signalingcatch and permit openingmovement of the buoy having two members, movable relavalve. tively toeach other, of an igniting device 11. In a signaling-buoy having agas-supcomprising a lower cap having roughened ply, a frame, a flangedcollar supported by i partition-walls, means for connecting said theframe, guard-arms extending upward 1 cap to one of the parts of thebuoy, matches from said flanged collar, a burner-hood car having theirheads arranged between said ried by said arms, a burner arranged belowroughened partitions, a cover or casing the hood, a pipe extendingbetween the gasformed of a combustible waterproof matesupply and theburner, a lamp-casing surrial surrounding the matches and secured torounding the burner, and guided between the the cap, and means forconnecting the cover flanged collar and the hood, a spring tending orcasing to the second part of the buoy.

to maintain said casing in elevated position, In testimony that I claimthe foregoing as a valve in the pipe, a valve-stem, a pair of my own Ihave hereto affixed my signature in arms projecting from the stem, aspring conthe presence of witnesses; nected to one of said arms andtending to open the valve, a catch engaging the second 1 arm and holdingthe valve in closed position, a trip-rod connected to the catch andlarranged within the path of downward movec ment of the lamp-casing, anda casing sur- PAUL FUCHS.

Witnesses:

JULIUS G. J. Guns, WILLY ERBERT, CHARLES ELBELNANY.

